Bracing for an invasion of tourists in Havre de Grace [Community]

Uh, oh, dear readers, the British are coming!

Planned for many months, the War of 1812 re-enactment will reoccur this weekend (May 3-5) all over Havre de Grace. Unlike the surprise British attack on the city, May 3, 1813, during which it was sacked and burned, this attack will be coordinated through the Office of Tourism, 1-800-851-7756 or visit http://www.hdgtourism.com.

Start Saturday, May 4: join the United Methodist Men for breakfast, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at the church, 101 South Union Avenue. For $6, the all you-can-eat breakfast features sausage and gravy.

First Fridays will be held May 3 (Friday) 5-9 p.m. in downtown Havre de Grace, with music, pub crawls, and lots of entertainment in the War of 1812 theme. Tall ships, Sultana and Pride of Baltimore II, arrive 3 p.m. Friday (today).

Awaken Saturday, May 4, to the firing of guns and cannon as the British invade our town, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring raising, British reenactors landing at the lighthouse grounds and skirmishes in town ending at the Lock House grounds. Visit the tall ships, open for tours at 9 a.m. (and Sunday). At 3 p.m and going on to 9:30 p.m., a military march invades Havre de Grace and at 7 p.m. Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks at the lighthouse grounds, kicking off a concert and fireworks by the Columbia Orchestra.

By Sunday, at 7 a.m. the Red Coats/British run out of town in a 5K race at Tydings Park. At 10 a.m. (registration 9 a.m.) a Kayak poker run entertains along the river front. By 10:30 a.m., St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 North Union Avenue becomes the focus of an 1800 (circa) service/sermon and a funeral march for a Havre de Grace member, John O'Neil.

By Tuesday, May 7, the town will return to normal with Grace Place Serving a free, hot meal to those in need from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, above, 410-939-2107. The church now also hosts a thrift shop.

May 4 is Free Comic Book Day at Washington Street Books and Music, 131 North Washington Street, Havre de Grace from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone 410-939-6215 or visit http://www.washingtonstreetbooksandmusic.com. Also visit Just For Fun Shop, 464 Franklin Street, 443-502-2798, http://www.justforfunmd.com.

Celebrate the War of 1812 bicentennial by buying and flying your 15 stars/stripes flag from Haxel Flags, Route 40, $20.

The Havre de Grace Historic Reservation Commission has a quiz for students K-fifth grade; grades 6-12 to win an oval sticker, "I Walked the Lafayette Trail." Quiz copies are available now at the Havre de Grace Visitor Center. T-shirts, $10 are also available at the Spencer-Silver Mansion B&B, 410-939-1485. A great family fun project!

Take a guided historical walking tour every first weekend through November, Saturday 10 a.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. or schedule a tour by appointment. Enjoy a 1-1/2 hour walking tour through tree lined streets. Tickets available online at http://www.mainstreethdg.com or phone 410-459-3840 or 410-939-0565 or email: hdgmainstreet@verizon.net.

Fourth of July t-shirts are for sale at the Havre de Grace Visitor Center, 450 Pennington Avenue, 410-939-2100 for $7 to benefit the Havre de Grace Independence celebration. This year's parade is Saturday, July 6.

The Havre de Grace Farmers Market at Washington Street and Pennington Avenue, 9 a.m.-noon is a regular Saturday event. For info, call Main Street, 410-939-1811.

Denise Wilson told me about the 5K run, May 11 to support Havre de Grace High School music program. Call 410-939-6585 or email wilsix@msn.com.

Have a son or daughter? Celebrate May 5 (Sunday) as Children's Day like they do in Japan!

Thank a teacher! Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-11 National School Nurse Day is May 9. Thank those professionals who take great care of our youngsters.

May 5-12 is National Music Week. Strum up the mariachi band to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5), a national holiday in Mexico that is celebrated in U.S. Hispanic communities. On May 5, 1862, 2,000 Mexican troops were victorious over a French invasion force of 6,000 by Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla, Mexico. Celebrate your own Cinco de Mayo at Bill Bateman's Bistro Restaurant, Route 40, 2021-H Pulaski Highway, 410-939-7667, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Havre de Grace registered voters! Don't forget! May 7 is our local election from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. As always, your vote does count. Remember, if only by one vote in the U.S. Congress in 1790, Havre de Grace would have triumphed over Georgetown, Md. as the U.S. capital city. And you might be sitting, right now, in the midst of the Treasury Building, Pentagon or Smithsonian.

Likewise, if only by one vote in another Congressional vote, we would be speaking German instead of English in America. Wollen sie deutsch sprechen? Anyone?

Cathy Vincenti told me about the May 9 Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. hosted at the Tidewater Grille Restaurant, foot of Franklin Street in Havre de Grace, on the river, $16. Phone 410-939-3303 or email hdegchamber1@comcast.net to reserve a seat.

Medieval Days is at Steppingstone Farm Museum, May 11-12, 410-939-2299.

Tidewater Players presents Avenue Q, the musical by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, at the Open House, 121 North Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, May 3-19, Fridays and Saurdays. at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18; call 410-939-8433 or visit http://www.tidewaterplayers.com.